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indeed, argues that Josiah was also an appellative title, meaning "Jehovah supports
him" - but this explanation seems, to say the least, strained. There is no need to
suppose that, contrary to the universal canon of prophecy, a prediction would give a
name 300 years before the time. Of course, fully believing, as we do, in the reality of
prophecy, we admit that this would be quite possible; but on the grounds mentioned,
and on others which will readily suggest themselves, it seems so unlikely, that we have
adopted a view, supported, if not suggested, by the reference to Samaria in ver. 35.
True and reverent faith in Divine revelation will make us only the more careful in our
study of its exact meaning.
(^210) 1 Kings 13:3 reads: "This is the portent (marvelous sign) that Jehovah hath spoken"
(not "which Jehovah hath spoken," as in our Authorized Version).
(^211) The Hebrew word means a marvelous sign.
(^212) In contradistinction to Jehovah, which added the idea of the covenant to that of
power.
(^213) I prefer this to the view that Jeroboam's conduct was merely prompted by the wish
to nullify the effect upon the people. Such a motive seems, psychologically, unlikely in
the circumstances.
(^214) The general explanation, that this was added, in order that it should not be known
what route he took, so that he might be fetched back, needs no refutation.
(^215) See the remarks further on.
(^216) In the second clause of ver. 11 the singular is used, "his son," not as in our
Authorized Version, "sons." The plural which follows shows, however, that several
sons were present, though one was the spokesman. From the presence of the "old
prophet" in Bethel, and that of Ahijah in Shiloh, we infer that, if there was a migration
of pious laity into the territory of Rehoboam -which, however, is not expressly stated
in 2 Chronicles 11:16 -it must have been that of a minority.
(^217) This disposes of the argument quoted in the previous page as to the reason why the
"man of God" was to return by another road.
(^218) So literally.
(^219) So literally.
(^)